International success has rekindled hopes of a sale for the Manchester-founded fashion group behind the Bench and Hooch brands. Newly released accounts for the year to June 2011 reveal that Americana increased turnover from £121m to £148m despite a six per cent decline in UK sales.

International success has rekindled hopes of a sale for the Manchester-founded fashion group behind the Bench and Hooch brands.

Newly released accounts for the year to June 2011 reveal that Americana increased turnover from £121m to £148m despite a six per cent decline in UK sales.

The major successes for Americana came in Europe, where sales surged by 49 per cent.

Management said that profits before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased from £26.6m to £27.2m. The strong performance enabled the group's private equity shareholders, HG Capital, to collect a £15m dividend.

However, looking ahead to the second half of 2011 and 2012, the group said that current economic conditions still create uncertainty over demand.

There are further concerns about the increasing cost of raw materials and labour prices in China, where the vast majority of Americana’s products are made.

Currency fluctuations are also a concern for the company. It was reported last year that HG Capital had appointed NM Rothschild to advise on options for Manchester-based Americana last year.

It was reported that a proposed sale had been put on hold due to the uncertain consumer spending climate.

Headquartered in Ardwick, Manchester, Americana has 130 staff in the city and a 700 across 30-plus stores worldwide.